102 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Campgrounds surrounding Fort Calhoun in eastern Nebraska include several established recreation areas along the Missouri River corridor. Wilson Island State Recreation Area, Hitchcock County Nature Center, and Lake Cunningham Campground provide a mix of tent camping, RV sites with hookups, and some cabin accommodations. Most campgrounds in the area feature amenities like picnic tables, fire rings, and access to restroom facilities, while several offer electrical hookups for RVs and larger vehicles.
Seasonal flooding has significantly impacted camping availability in recent years, particularly at sites close to the Missouri River. "Wilson Island State Recreation Area had been closed part of 2018 and all of 2019 Season due to flooding of the Missouri River," noted one visitor. Many campgrounds operate primarily from April through October, with Lake Cunningham Campground typically open from mid-April to mid-October and Wilson Island State Recreation Area operating from April through December. Water levels, weather conditions, and maintenance projects occasionally lead to temporary closures, so checking current status before planning a trip is essential. Concrete camping pads at some locations help manage wet conditions during rainy periods.
The area's campgrounds offer diverse recreational opportunities centered around water activities. Lake Cunningham provides non-motorized boating options with kayak and paddleboard rentals available. Several visitors highlight the well-maintained facilities as a key benefit. One camper described Lake Cunningham as "one of the most beautiful campgrounds we have ever encountered! On a beautiful lake with many recreational possibilities - kayaking, sailing, non-power boating - some for rent." Sites along the Missouri River provide fishing opportunities and access to wildlife viewing, especially at campgrounds adjacent to DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge. Many locations feature hiking and biking trails, including a 10-mile paved path around Lake Cunningham. Despite their proximity to urban areas, these campgrounds offer a sense of separation from city life while maintaining convenient access to services.
"We camp all the time at different locations, and I 100% recommend this campground! The hosts are so polite and helpful and they keep the place immaculate."
"The sites for tent camping are okay pretty close together and down a hill, no parking next to your site. There are also pack in sites available and depending on location very nice."
from $10 - $50 / night
Check Availability"The lake is right there, with a nice bike path that comes all the way around."
"Lake Cunningham is a fun destination for getting outside if you only have an afternoon to escape! The lake itself is great for kayaking, paddle boarding, and sailing!"
from $15 - $40 / night
Check Availability"It is true that the campground is a big open space with little tree cover, but it is part of the DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge, and there is a ton of trees, trails, and wildlife around the refuge."
"Nice smaller park with good tent sites on Missouri River and next to DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge."
from $16 - $24 / night
Check Availability"Great location, not too close to the lake so not a lot of bugs to bother."
"Each site is equipped with a fire ring and many of the locations have a picnic table. There are a couple of the spots right along side the lake."
"It is right next to a busy railroad, but we cranked up our fans and barely noticed the trains and their horns."
"Besides the traffic noise because it's close to the hwy, the train passed at night like 4 or 5 times, so have that in mind if you light sleep."
from $18 - $25 / night
Check Availability"This is a nice campground located on the edge of Papillion, Nebraska. There are several trails nearby, some paved and others grass. The main trailhead is easily accessible from the park road."
"This is a very cool park in Papillion, Nebraska! It also has a sewer dump site for $5 (if you're not camping). See the camp host to pay."
from $20 / night
Check Availability"Our family and another family shared a primitive tent site near the back of the park. We were first and foremost impressed with the freedom we had in choosing our site."
"I like that you can tent camp anywhere in the Camp area down by the lake with all your friends close by. the trails and playground equipment is nice and the fishing is great!"
"So we’re driving through Blair (kinda right outside Omaha, right on the Missourri River) and I did not expect the food at The Lodge to be this good..."
"It’s peaceful, friendly, close to Omaha, but still quiet enough to feel like you’re on vacation."
"Lakeside locations are quite well spaced with a panoramic Lake view. small restroom and shower pair with unisex entry. Quite spartan, but relatively clean."
"Our confirmation email included precise directions from I-29, with an interstate sign confirming the turn for Lake Manawa State Park, and provided the gate code for access."
from $20 - $40 / night
Check Availability
TravelerIt took a lot of driving to get back in here, but the payoff was a lovely little isolated, three or 4 acres of grass and hardwood trees by a sweet little cemetery of the hill.
GuideWe were coming into town for the College World Series and intended to stay at Arrowhead. I called ahead and talked to a kind gentleman who let me know that Arrowhead would likely be full, but the fairgrounds would surely have space. With 24-hour self check-in, it was a perfect solution. Twenty-five minutes from Omaha and full, pull-through hook ups made this a solid stop over.
GuideCamp spots are close together and not private. But it's a beautiful spot with lots of hiking trails. Bathrooms are spotless and the host is super nice.
LegendI was here on a very hot June day. Grateful for the electricity so I could run my A/C. Would have been much nicer if there were some actual trees for shade. No privacy between sites.
You need a code to get inside the park. I saw camp hosts drive by in golf carts, but did not interact with them.
All the pads look like they're very new. Cement and level.
While this park is right on the lake, there is no easy access to the lake from the campground. A few of the sites back up to the lake, but even those you'd have to bushwack to get to the water. I did find a spot that I had to practically trespass on another camper's site to get to. It was a small opening between weeds and down some treacherous rocks to launch my paddleboard.
There's a beach a few hundred yards down the path that you have to pay $5 to enter.
The lake does not look very clean. I wouldn't swim in it.
The shower was one of those push button ones and it was fine. Lots of kids running around and being loud past 11pm. Looks like people come here to spend the night and spend the day someplace else.
Scout•Turned of my water off in the winter time while it was in the negatives outside which froze my water and busted my water heater.
•quiet time is after 9 but we’re trying to make guests leave before 6
•their water line busted and they refused to reimburse multiple people for the 5 days we all went without water
•You can’t sit your trash out AT ALL, not even in the bed of your truck cause the dozens of stray cats will rip it apart and scatter it everywhere. They will also tear up your camper underneath looking for warmth
•owner saw me taking the trash out one day and offered to take it then turned around and told me I was to lazy to take it
•had 2 friends and their 3 kids come join us for a cookout and the owners pulled up in their golf cart, freaking out about how loud our “party” was and that the our new neighbors complained. Went to go apologize the next day and the neighbors said they didn’t even hear us.
•kept trying to up charge me on rent and electricity, one month my electric was $53 and the next month it was over $300 (the same month I wasn’t even there for 2 weeks)
•multiple blue collar workers left because the owners were treating them the same way
•they have a nice pool. If you want to invite anybody make sure you got extra money cause they’ll charge you whatever they feel like charging you that day. Went from $3 a person to $5 a person in just 2 days
•claim they’re Christians but refuse to you help in any way and will try to get as much money from you as they can
•••••••CHECK YOUR METER••••••••• when I left they tried saying my electric bill was higher than my deposit of $300 but when I told them I took a picture of the meter and how their price didn’t match the amount of kilowatts I had used (15 cents per kw) they sent me my deposit back
All this coming from someone who stayed here for 6 months and finally had enough
GuideThis was a beautiful little spot in town. All the spots were decently spaced out so you had your privacy, and it was surprisingly quiet. It is on the edge a housing area, so you can see people's porches across the street, but it wasnt bad. The price is very reasonable especially if you're just spending the night while driving through. Its very green, well maintained and pretty, we even saw some fireflies! It has electric hook ups and a dump station as well.
ScoutNew pads. Grills. Fishing Lake. Tennis Courts. Basketball. Sand Volleyball. Pool.
ScoutThis park offers something for everyone! Although the campsites are average this big beautiful park makes up for it in other ways. From the aquatic park, to the stables, hiking and biking trails, a small marina with fishing and paddle boats, and a nature center, you won’t have to leave to be entertained. Recommend staying at the lakeside campground for better views.
ScoutI called because there was no link to book and the RV park has closed. There is RV parking if you want to stay in the hotel, but the park with hookups is closed.
Camping near Fort Calhoun, Nebraska offers access to diverse terrain at the edge of the Missouri River basin where Nebraska and Iowa meet. The area sits at approximately 1,000 feet elevation with a humid continental climate bringing hot summers and cold winters. Seasonal water conditions heavily impact campground availability, with spring flooding occasionally affecting access to campsites along the river.
Hiking opportunities: Hitchcock Nature Center provides varied trail difficulty levels with exceptional views. "The trails are well marked and easy to follow. I was very impressed on the hike in campsites. They already have a nice flat spot for your tent, although I'm a hammock camper. The views from the two south east campsites are amazing, looking over the Missouri River valley and the Omaha skyline in the distance," notes Aaron A. about Hitchcock County Nature Center.
Non-motorized water activities: Lake activities provide options without needing a motorboat. According to Dana T., Lake Cunningham Campground offers "a large lake stocked with fish" and Connor S. adds there's "fishing, paddle board rentals, and a park are a few things to do."
Bird watching: The region has unique bird watching opportunities, especially during migration seasons. "The nature center is a nice place to cool down the the summer and learn about the loess hills. Great hiking in Loess Hills, great Nature Center especially with programming of 'Hawk Watch,'" says James M. about Hitchcock Nature Center.
Clean facilities: Many campers highlight the well-maintained bathrooms and campsites. At Arrowhead Park Campground, one visitor reported, "For only $10 dollars this campground has a lot to provided including free showers. First come first serve. Highly recommend." Another camper noted, "Our site was well shaded with trees."
Affordable options: The Fort Calhoun area offers some of the most budget-friendly camping in the region. "Great price for electric hook ups and a shower house ($15). Would've stayed longer if we weren't going home. The host was very pleasant and helpful," shares Nancy B. about Arrowhead Park.
Proximity to urban conveniences: Despite feeling remote, campgrounds offer quick access to city amenities. Pat V. describes Hitchcock County Nature Center as "north of Crescent, IA and just let outside Omaha, NE. A short drive from the city and you are in the Loess Hills that were explored by Lewis and Clark on their trek west."
Seasonal closures: Water levels and maintenance projects affect availability throughout the year. "After discussion with City officials, the campground will continue to be closed until at least August 2020. This is an estimated time frame," notes Bryan S. about Cunningham Lake Dam Site 11 Campground.
Noise considerations: Some campgrounds experience rail or highway noise. At Missouri Valley City Park, a recent visitor shared: "Place is well maintained with plenty of hookups, a nice view to the park, picnic tables and a dump station. Besides the traffic noise because it's close to the hwy, the train passed at night like 4 or 5 times, so have that in mind if you light sleep."
Park entry fees: Some recreation areas require daily or annual entry fees beyond camping costs. "There is a $3 day use pass or a $20 yearly pass available," explains Pat V. about Hitchcock Nature Center.
Educational programming: Several parks offer family-friendly learning activities. Karen W. says of Hitchcock Nature Center: "With the nature Center there is plenty for the kids to do. There's even a 1 mile hike on a boardwalk that's very easy. They have a hawkwatch tower. Lots of information about Hawks and nature conservation. We love doing their extra classes."
Playground access: Multiple campgrounds feature playground equipment for children. At Walnut Creek Lake & Recreation Area, Jake C. reports: "I like to run in the morning and take my son in stroller for a few miles in the afternoon and the well groomed & paved trails were perfect. The campground hosts were great and informed on the area."
Stroller-friendly paths: Some parks feature accessible trails suitable for families with small children. At Arrowhead Park, Sarah H. explains, "The kids enjoyed riding bikes up and down gravel roads, looking for frogs, and playing on the playground. Canoe and paddle boat rental is extremely reasonable."
Concrete pad availability: Several campgrounds offer level, stable sites for larger rigs. At Lake Cunningham, Steve D. reports, "10 miles of paved bike trails and ALL paved campsites level and clean! Many clean and nice bathrooms which showers and FULL hookups for almost any size RV or camper."
Self-service check-in: Some parks operate on honor systems with minimal staff interaction. "Stopped late after a long 12 hour drive. I loved the simple self service process. We picked an open spot, paid, and parked. The facilities were impressively clean and well maintained," shares Abby W. about camping at Hitchcock Nature Center.
Dump station locations: RVers should note dump station placements when selecting sites. Jake C. advises about Walnut Creek: "The potable water is spread out across the campground but I only had to make a few trips with my 6gal jugs during my 2 week stay. Dump station at the entrance is really close to sites 43-45 since the campground is a large loop."
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is River Bend Campground located in Fort Calhoun?
River Bend Campground appears to be located near Fort Calhoun, which is in eastern Nebraska along the Missouri River. For similar riverside camping in the area, consider Wilson Island State Recreation Area Campground which is part of the DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge near the Missouri River. Though technically in Iowa, it's very close to Fort Calhoun. Another option is River View Park Resort & Marina near Blair, just a short drive from Fort Calhoun.
What amenities are available at River Bend Campground in Fort Calhoun?
While specific information about River Bend Campground is limited, nearby campgrounds offer similar amenities you might expect. Eugene T. Mahoney State Park Campground features extensive facilities including an aquatic center, zip lines, horseback riding, and various accommodation options. For RV camping, Pine Grove RV Park & Campground provides clean facilities in a quiet setting, making it suitable for overnight or short stays. Typical riverside campgrounds in this region generally offer basic amenities like picnic areas, fire rings, and access to water recreation.
How do I make reservations at River Bend Campground in Fort Calhoun?
For campground reservations in the Fort Calhoun area, most state parks and recreation areas use online reservation systems. Platte River State Park Campground offers reservable sites through Nebraska's state park reservation system. Similarly, West Omaha / NE Lincoln KOA Holiday takes direct reservations through their website or phone system. For county-managed areas like many around Fort Calhoun, check with the Washington County Parks Department or call the campground directly for the most current reservation procedures and availability.
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